This continues a post from yesterday looking at the slow decline of Saul the Benjamite, the first king of Israel. As I recently read through Saul's story again, I was struck by the pattern of Saul's slow decline. Here are a few reflections on that for us today. Tormented and Angry Saul It is shortly …
The Pathway to Slow Decline, part 1
The word 'decline' has a different value based on different situations. Seeing a decline in unemployment rates is good, but seeing a decline in gross domestic product is bad. Watching dirty bath water go down the drain is good, but watching your marriage go down the drain is bad. One of the most gripping stories …
How is God Speaking to You? (week 20)
God is speaking to you and me through the Scriptures. What is He saying? I would love to hear from you about that. A number of people have joined me in reading through the Bible in a year together in 2011. Whether you are participating in that or not, I would love to hear from …
Every Blessing You Pour Out
There's a well-known worship song that says: "every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise." While the term 'blessing' is often thoughtlessly used, it refers to a deep happiness or gift that God brings into our lives. Hannah, a Hebrew woman we encounter in 1 Samuel, was someone who knew about both receiving …
How is God Speaking to You? (week 19)
What is God saying to you as you read the Scriptures? A number of people are joining me this year in reading through the Bible in a year together in 2011. Whether you are participating in that or not, I would love to hear from you about how God has been speaking to you in …
